Description:

Dorsal spines: 3; Dorsal rays: 24-27; Anal spines: 0; Anal rays: 19-24.

Blue to greyish or brown body, each scale bearing an orange-yellow spot. Pectoral, soft dorsal, anal and caudal fins dark with pale margins (yellow to light blue). 
Yellow spots can merge to form oblique lines. There is considerable colour variation within this species. Deep groove in front of eye and shallow horizontal grooves 
on lower cheek. Juveniles yellowish brown with bluish grey spots and blotches. Larger juveniles covered in a network of brilliant blue lines which become increasingly 
interconnected with growth. The caudal fins of adult fish have pointed lobes.
 

Size:

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 55cm TL.
 

Habitat and Ecology:

Occur in lagoons and seaward reefs (depth 30-50m). Sandy areas near reef patches or reef edge are preferred. Adults on deep reefs, usually deeper than 30 metres. 
Juveniles inshore on rubble reef or small outcrops on open substrate. Feeds on sea urchins, crustaceans, molluscs, dead fish, tunicates and corals. Females are 
territorial and aggressive when nest guarding. 
 

Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the hand line fishery, but is a rare component of the catch.

Notes:

In water photo courtesy Eleanor Brighton and Chris Mason-Parker (c) 2022 Blue Safari Seychelles/Marine Conservation Society, Seychelles. Photograph taken at Alphonse group 2022

 

 

References:

Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. (2018). Fishbase.  https://www.fishbase.de/summary/pseudobalistes-fuscus (05/11/18)
McGrouther, M (2016). Yellowspotted Triggerfish, Pseudobalistes fuscus. Australian Museum https://australianmuseum.net.au/yellowspotted-triggerfish-pseudobalistes-fuscus (05/11/18).
Smith, M. & Heemstra, P. Eds. (1999). Smiths’ Sea Fishes Edition 6. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 10.1007/978-3-642-82858-4

Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Pseudobalistes fuscus, Yellow-spotted triggerfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/pseudobalistes-fuscus-bloch-schneider-1801/
(edited 19/06/22).